Horsforth – The Repton Gazette and Brown Advisor

Tag: Horsforth

79: Would you call Brown ‘Capability’ to his face?

On October 3, 2015

A couple of late additions on the nick-name of Lancelot Brown (note 3): Mrs L of Harrogate has lately moved up in the world and now resides in Ilkley where her near neighbour Lord C recalls a comment made of the Drury Lane Theatre by his ancestor Lord Chalkstone in 1757: ‘The place … has “fine capabilities” … the whole wants variety, extent, contrast, and inequality.’

3: When did Brown get his nickname?

By The Brown Advisor

On September 3, 2015

In Brown's life, Character

Mrs B from Lincoln has written in to ask when people first started to call that canny gardener, Lancelot Brown by his nickname ‘Capability’.

Hullo all, they call me Oofy, Oofy Price actually. Well the Tatler’s Waste-bin was a wash-out. Just not licking the lolly. So me and the chaps have taken over and we’re starting a paper. ‘The Repton Gazette’. Same rules as for the last lot (questions numbered and logged on receipt, responses whenever we get round to it, everyone anonymous unless requested otherwise). Thought it would be jolly to start numbering with 1818 (year Repton died) and rock up to the present, 200 FAQs later. Ta-ta. Oofy

By John Phibbs

The Repton Gazette and Brown Advisor

300 Frequently Asked Questions about Capability Brown, and a further 200 about Humphry Repton

Tag: Horsforth

79: Would you call Brown ‘Capability’ to his face?

3: When did Brown get his nickname?

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